Deacon Frye

You have one on the side? Royaliste, where the heck do you find the time and energy to keep up with both these beauties?

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/...-i/intrepid.htm Interesting mizzen, eh?

Nelson also said of Decatur's operation to administer the coup de grace to the Philadelphia thet it was "the most bold and daring act of the age." A very pretty compliment coming from him.

" ... to the shores of Tripoli ...." ~~The Marines' Hymn Sir Ridley Scott had plans to make a movie of it, using Russel Crowe, but I don't think anything's come of it yet. The famous action wasn't so much directly against the pirates as a matter of "regime change' as they say these days.

Very interesting, Blackjohn.

I believe it also has to do with the rate the powder burns, Capt. The blackpowder of the period burned more slowly than modern powders, so felt recoil with a modern gun is one sharp punch, whereas the old guns would deliver more of a "shove" a bit spread out over time.

Thanks Royaliste, I thought they looked familiar. Didn't look how I'd imagined Adventure Galley which is generally described as ship-rigged. Not sure how Quedah Merchant merchant was rigged, or what sort of hull.

Wish I'd seen this before watching the show. I'd have payed closer attention. Scupper, do you know where they got the vessels for the show?

10 pm eastern. Followed by Bligh and the Mutiny to boot. If only this old rover can stay awake.

Felicitations, Dreamie.

And they say crime doesn't pay!

Actually most of the pistols up to the revolver era were smoothbores, unless they were duelling or match guns. Guess they figured short range is short range..... Dueling pistols were smooth-bored and highly accurate within their range.

From: Bjarne Drews' Homepage Took me a while to figure out what went in those protuberances, but I think I have it now.

Gleaned from the Internet: Picture of Sadie: http://www.synarski.com/pages/sadie.html In the "Golden Age", I believe Long Island, especially eastern Long Island, claimed a number of pirates among its residents. Captain Kidd lived in Manhattan. Much of the financing of piratical ventures came from New York. During the Revolution, Long Island Sound was a hotbed of whaleboat warfare by both sides, technically privateering-but only by a fine line sometimes, and often just plain looting.

Those are nice. From the way you worded it, I thought you'd found the same painting that was on your grandmother thermometer/barometer.

Which painting of the Cutty Sark are you talking about, Dream Wench?

For fencing instruction, try taking a look at: http://socalfence.org/ I'm not sure how useful classical fencing will be with regard to cutlass technique, though.

I'd be hard-pressed to think of a nicer place to spend summers than the coast of Maine.

I've heard rumors of a replica seventeenth-century ketch (The Adventure?) at Charles Towne Landing, and would like to know more. These little vessels were ubiquitous on the American coast at the time, yet little is really known about them. Charleston is definitely a place I'd like to see one of these days.

Auction has ended with high bid of $1325, reserve not met. I believe that I know the owner of this sword as an aquaintance on a couple of other forums that I frequent. My impression is that of a hard-working, honest individual with a good amount of knowledge of swords. He has a particular interest in Scottish baskethilts with curved blades and has handled and photographed originals in Scottish museums. He also has a piratical streak. The sword is familiar as well. I'd gathered he was rather fond of it, and have emailed him as to why he is selling it, but haven't had a response.

Things are warming up a bit ...

Well, that is interesting. Thanks Cascabel. There's something familiar about this one.

I haven't got my ducks in a row at the moment, but baskethilts were under development in northern Europe through the sixteenth century. The development of the schiavona in southern Europe was indepent of this, though there may have been some sharing of the basic idea. There's no indication that I know of that the Scottish baskethilt derived from the schiavona that is recognized by current scholarship, though there were authors in the past that had suggested it. The main factor driving the development of baskethilts of all sorts during this period appears to have been the declining use of armour and with it the armoured gauntlets that had previously protected the hand. (Not that armour was abandoned altogether--it was still around for a good while and, in a sense, is still with us today.)

If it's custom, then he must have fashioned a blade for an existing basket/pommel? The one in the pic is similar to the one offered by Museum Replicas: ... I have this one, and it's lovely! (Have had it for several years now.) I'm not sure I'm altogether following you, PirateQueen, but I believe the answer to your question is in the portion of my post that you "snipped". Eddie Floyd designed and made the original on which the Museum Replica cutlasses are based. So yes, the customer in effect said "I'd like one with that basket, but a different blade and grip covering." Presumably Mr. Floyd made another basket in the same design for this sword.

I've never handled one of their swords, but I know a number of people who have them, and they swear by them. They're the real deal. They may not have a classic cutlass in their standard line, but they have a couple of 17th century hangers that would make fine sidearms for a freebooter: 17th Century Tower Hanger 17th Century Shell & Ring Guard Hanger There is a considerable choice of blades offered with these: Sharp or Reenactment (i.e. rebated or blunt--shown above) Two blade lengths Single or double-edged Diamond profile or fullered See: http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/17...ntury_Main2.htm The prices are quite reasonable for what you're getting. I can probably pull up a review of the Tower Sword with the short, sharp blade if anyone is interested.